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Second fatal pursuit in fortnight puts police on defensive

Author
Daniel Walker,
Publish Date
Tue, 24 Oct 2017, 2:03PM
The aftermath of a police pursuit. Photo/NZ Herald
The aftermath of a police pursuit. Photo/NZ Herald

Second fatal pursuit in fortnight puts police on defensive

Author
Daniel Walker,
Publish Date
Tue, 24 Oct 2017, 2:03PM

Police are defending their pursuit strategy, after two fatal cop chases in as many weeks.

A pursuit at the long weekend ended with two people dead and three others seriously injured, when the fleeing driver crashed into a tree in Morningside.

This comes less than two weeks after 15-year-old Morrocco Tai was killed following a short chase in South Auckland.

Police say the chases leave officers balancing their responsibility to protect life with their duty to enforce the law.

But Assistant Commissioner of Road Policing, Sandra Venables, says it's really up to drivers to make better decisions.

"This type of behaviour has to stop. Fleeing drivers incidents are incredibly dangerous.

"They are putting not only themselves at risk but also their passengers, police staff and innocent members of our community going about their daily lives."

There are no plans for a review of the Fleeing Driver Policy, which was last updated in July last year.

The policy has been reviewed seven times since 1996.

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